Extend the Life of Your Wood Cutting Board with These Cleaning Hacks – if you’re a cooking enthusiast, this is a topic you’ll want to dive into. A high-quality wood cutting board is not only a durable and resistant kitchen tool, but it also adds a touch of warmth and elegance to your kitchen. However, without proper care, your wood cutting board can deteriorate quickly, leading to cracks, stains, and unwanted odors. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore some cleaning hacks that will help you extend the life of your wood cutting board and keep it looking great for years to come.
Why Cleaning Your Wood Cutting Board Is Important
Before we dive into our cleaning hacks, let’s take a moment to understand why keeping your wood cutting board clean is so important. Wood is a porous material, meaning that bacteria from food can seep into it. Wooden cutting boards also absorb liquids easily. It’s easy for juices from raw meats or even moisture in vegetables left on them for too long to get absorbed by the fibers in wooden boards. Cleanliness helps prevent dangerous germs like Salmonella from transferring between different foods, a process known as cross-contamination.
Our Cutting Board Cleaning Tips, from Salting to Stain Removal
Cutting boards are a staple in every kitchen. Whether you’re cutting meat, veggies, or creating a cheese board, it’s important to keep them in good shape. Plastic cutting boards can last for years, and wood ones can last for decades when properly maintained and cared for. Here are some cleaning tips to keep your cutting board in tip-top shape.
Cleaning Cutting Boards
Nonporous acrylic, plastic, or glass boards can be washed in a dishwasher. For wooden cutting boards, use 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Soak for several minutes, rinse, and air dry.
Deodorize Cutting Boards with Salt & Lemon
To deodorize your cutting board, all you need is salt and a lemon! Massage 1/3 cup of coarse salt on your cutting board, and then let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, massage the salt with 1/2 a lemon, squeezing the lemon to release the juice. Last, simply rinse the board with a clean cloth and hot water. You can also use the salt and lemon method to clean a wood cutting board that can’t go in the dishwasher.
Removing Stains
Stains can be a common issue, especially with white, plastic cutting boards. However, you can also tackle stains on your wooden cutting board. Place the cutting board into the sink and run hot water until it’s about an inch high. Add one cup of bleach, let soak for one hour, and watch those stains disappear!
Maintaining Your Wood Cutting Board
To best maintain a wood cutting board, it’s great to oil it once a month or so. Start by washing your board with salt and lemon. Then, pour a small amount of oil onto your cutting board, and rub until you’ve hit every part of the surface. Don’t forget the back! Be sure to let it dry completely before storing.
Avoid Cross-Contamination
Assigning one cutting board for raw meats and seafood and one for produce, bread, and cheese will prevent bacteria from raw meat from contaminating a food that requires no further cooking.
How Often to Clean a Wooden Cutting Board
You should wash your wooden cutting board after every use. Then, every month, deep clean, disinfect, and oil the board to help with long-term maintenance. If used frequently, you may want to disinfect and oil it every couple of weeks.
How to Clean a Wooden Cutting Board With Dishwashing Liquid
Never put a wooden cutting board in the dishwasher since water can cause the board to crack and warp. Those little cracks become breeding grounds for bacteria that can potentially cause foodborne illness. Instead, wash the board by hand after every single use.
How to Clean a Wooden Cutting Board With Bleach
If the cutting board is used to cut raw poultry or meat, cleaning it with bleach will help kill bacteria on the board. First, clean the board with dish soap, then take these additional steps to sanitize it.
How to Clean a Wooden Cutting Board With Lemon
Cleaning wooden cutting boards with lemon and salt once per month is a great way to help maintain them. This method can help remove stains on the board. And if your cutting board smells from lots of chopped garlic, this could help freshen it up.
How to Keep Your Wooden Cutting Board Clean Longer
To help your wooden cutting board stay clean longer term, follow these tips: Don’t clean a wooden cutting board in the dishwasher, and avoid soaking the board in water for more than a few minutes. To avoid cross-contamination, designate separate cutting boards for different tasks—one for preparing meat, another for vegetables, and another for fish. Dry the board after washing to help prevent cracks in the wood.
Conclusion
As we’ve just discussed, taking care of your wood cutting board is important for maintaining its quality and ensuring that it lasts as long as possible. By following our cleaning hacks, you can help prevent stains, odors, and bacteria buildup that can dull its appearance or even impact healthfulness. Regular cleaning with safe products will protect both you and your board while ensuring a sanitary environment in which to prepare meals.
